Russia: BRICS will welcome Syria if new authorities express interest

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced that the BRICS group would not oppose Syria's addition if the new Syrian authorities express a desire to join.

In an interview with the TASS Russian News Agency, Ryabkov stated, "We take requests from all countries seriously, and Syria is no exception. However, we do not pressure any party and treat all options with respect."

Former Syrian Ambassador to Russia Bashar Jaafari previously indicated that Damascus is engaged in serious discussions regarding joining BRICS.

Ryabkov also highlighted the increasing significance of the complex political issues surrounding future governance arrangements in Syria, confirming that the BRICS group will address this matter moving forward.

A report from TASS quoted former chief peace negotiator of the main opposition bloc, Mohammad Alloush, in earlier Geneva and Astana negotiations, stating that Damascus hopes BRICS member states will assist in the country’s reconstruction.

In response to a question about Syria's potential membership, Alloush remarked that "BRICS consists of countries with strong economies," emphasizing that "Syria is a devastated state, and we hope for assistance in rebuilding."

He noted that while there are no objections to Syria's joining, he expressed doubts about the practicality of accession at this stage.